President Mugabe accused Mr Mnangagwa and his supporters of paying people to embarrass his wife, before he sent him packing on charges of ‘deceit and disloyalty’.

The First Lady, who no longer hides her ambitions to succeed the 93-year-old ruler, said her husband was ‘anointed' by God to rule Zimbabwe.

“He (President Mugabe) is also my President,” she said.

Youth league

“I love my President. I respect my President. I will help him to make this country prosper.”

Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said Mr Mnangagwa had been fired after the party structures endorsed his expulsion.

“All the 10 provinces, the women’s league and the youth league endorsed the expulsion of former Vice-President of the Republic of Zimbabwe by his Excellency R.G. Mugabe,” he said.

“On the request of the 10 provinces, women’s league and the youth league, the politburo has unanimously expelled former Vice-President and second secretary of the party Cde ED Mnangagwa as a member of the party.”